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10 years in SC dog-dragging case

GREENVILLE, S.C. — A Greenville man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison after admitting he dragged a dog for at least 2 miles behind his pickup truck.

Circuit Judge Letitia Verdin told Roger Owens that what he did was one of the cruelest things she had ever seen before sentencing him Tuesday. Rogers was given the maximum of five years on the ill treatment of animals charge and additional time for traffic violations.

Prosecutors say Owens tied the dog’s front legs to the pickup’s tailgate in December and sped off, forcing the dog to run on its hind legs on the pavement. The dog suffered serious injuries, but survived and was adopted.

Owens’ lawyer told the judge her client cares for animals, but was drinking and wasn’t thinking straight.